Mechanism for feeding blanks



Nov. 5, 1940. D. BElfCHER Er Ax. 2,220,073

' MncHANrsM -FoR FEEDING BLANKS Filed April 28, 193s 1o sheets-sheet 1 NOV. 5, 1940. Q -BELCHER ET AL 2,220,073

Y MEGHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANIKS Filed April 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nv. 5, 1940. D BELCHER E1- AL v 2,220,073

' MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANxs l Filed April 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTOQNEY;

Nov. 5, 1940. D, BELcHER ET AL 2,220,073

'MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS Filed April 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 .fm/@unions .DAN/EL EL CHER eofaefr/STJ'QN AeoLo MMA/0.55771 TWQM udma NOV@ 5, `1946. n. BELx-IER er AL I 2,220,073

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS Filed April 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 //eoLp M/f/NDSETH TToz/vs Yr Nov. 5, 1940. D. BELCHER Er A1. l 2,220,073

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS Filed April 28, 1938 '1o sheets-sheet 7 ZT-t Ven/24071) /e/G. 9 r RAoFoeDRST/ETSON HAzoLo M/NDJETH Noms, 1940.

D. BELCHER Er Al.V

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS Filed April 2s, 195e l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 F/a/o NOV. 5, 1940. Q BELQHER ET AL 2,220,073 1 MECHANISM FOR FEEDIN BLANKS Filed April 28, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Fatented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT i OFFICE V. Kindseth, Minneapolis,

Minn., assignors to Bemis Bro. Bag Co., Minneapolis, Minn., a, cor

poration of Missouri Application April 28, 1938, Serial No. 204,748

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for feeding blanks, such as open ended tube blanks, to a bag bottomer or machine for making the bottoms of the bags, or to any other desired apparatus or mechanism to which the blanks are to be fed, one at a time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for feeding sheet material or tube blanks to a bottoming machine or m other structure, whereby the blanks are fed thereto, one at a time, in rapid succession, from a suitable magazine which operates in timed relation to the feeding means.

A further object is to provide a pneumatic feeding mechanism which is not ldependent upon tabs or other devices on the blanks for its operation.

A further object is to provide a feeding mechanism which will automatically feed blank sheets or tubes to a receiving mechanism, one at a time,

20 which is so designed and constructed that it does not require the constant attention of an operator, whereby the operation of feeding the blanks is greatly facilitated and also whereby it may be done at small cost.

25 A further object is to provide a mechanism for feeding blanks or bag tubes to a suitable receiving means, said mechanism comprising a device for positively preventing more than one blank from being fed to the receiving means at a time, and

3" whereby should two or more blanks accidentally be lifted or fed from the magazine at one time by the feeding means, said device will automaticallyA divert such blanks from the normal path of travel of the blanks, after which the feeding 35 means is immediately restored to/normal feeding operation without requiring the services of an attendant.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel construction of 'the magazine and the means 4o provided therein for advancing the blanks to the feed drum, whereby the number of blanks in the l magazine does not affect the operation of the feeding means; in the means whereby the magazine may be lled, when necessary, without in- 5 terrupting the operation of the machine; in the provision of means whereby all necessary adjustments may readily 'be made while themachine is in operation; in the provision of a feedl ing mechanism in which all of the principal move- 50 ments are rotary, whereby it may be operated at Y high speed, as compared to similar machines employing reciprocal or oscillatory movements; in

the provision of a pneumatcally operated feeding mechanism comprising a rotary feed drum having a plurality of suction apertures in the periphery thereof adapted to engage each successive bag blank or tube, whereby the suction through said apertures will grip the adjacentblank and lift it out of the magazine and deliver it to the receiving mechanism; and, in the provision of a bag blank or tube feeding mechanism, in which the feeding of the blanks or tubes from the magazine is accomplished entirely by vacuum or air suction, whereby the inherent condition of the tubes or blanks will not affect the operation of the feed- 10 ing mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims. 1

In the accompanying drawings'there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may 20 be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved feeding mechanism; 25

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1, showing the air supply means;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, on a larger scale, showing the pneumatic feed drum and the means for holding the blanks in contact with the periphery thereof;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 35 vG-li of Figure 7, showing a blank being fed from the magazine;

Figure '1 is a cross-sectional view on the line 1 1 of Figure 1, showing the arrangement of the suction holes in the periphery of the pneu- 40 matic feed drum;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the means for diverting 'the bag blanks away from their normal path of travel, in the event that two or more blanks are fed around the feed 46 drumat one time;

Figure 9 is a detail view showing the mechanism for operating the blank diverting lingers;

Figure 10 is a sectional plan view on the line m-ln of Figure 1, showing the construction of 5 the pneumatic feed drum and the driving means therefor;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view showing the discharge end of the magazine for supporting and advancing the blanks to-the feed drum;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view on the line |2I2 of Figure 1, showing only the discharge end of the magazine for feeding the blanks to the feed drum;

lFigure 13 is a detail sectional view on the line I3-I 3 of Figure 14, showing a portion of the drive mechanism for the magazine;

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view on the line I4---I4 of Figure 11, showing the means for intermittently operating the magazine in operative position; and

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14, with the parts shown in inoperative position.

Frame 'I'he novel apparatus herein disclosed is shown 'comprising a main frame, generally indicated by the numeral 2, composed of side members 3 and 4 supported at one end by legs 5, as shown in Figure 1. 'Ihe opposite end of the main frame may be supported upon a suitable supporting structure, such, for example, as the frame of a bottoming machine or other receiving means, a portion of which is indicated by the numeral 6. The side members of the main frame are shown secured together by suitable cross members 1, 8, 9, and I I,'whereby a Very rigid frame structure is provided.

Pneumatic feeding means An important feature of the present invention resides in the novel construction of the feeding means, which successively feeds the blanks from a suitable magazine, subsequently to be described, to a receiving means such, for example, as a bottoming machine, indicated at 6 in Figure 1.

As best shown in Figures 5, 6, '1, 8, and 10, the feeding means comprises a drum having heads I6 and I1 secured to the ends thereof in leakproof relation. These heads have hubs I8 and I9, respectively, shown.` rotatably supported on a tubular member 2|. .The member 2I is non-rotatably supported in split hubs 22 provided in the side frame members 3 and 4, respectively, as best shown in Figure 10.

A segmental casing 23 is shown mounted within the feed drum I5, and has a split hub whereby it may be adjustably secured to the tubular member 2I by means of bolt-s 25, as will readilybe understood by referencel to Figures 8 and 10. The walls of the'casing 23 cooperate to provide asuction chamber 26, which is in direct communication with the interior of the tubular member 2| through a plurality of small apertures 28,

provided in a wall of the tubular member 2|.

slots 32 therein. The slots 32 are adapted to register with a plurality of suction holes 33 provided in the wall of the drum I5, -Whereby a suction may be created at the surface'of the feed drum in the area 34 defined by the apertures 33, as will be understood by reference toFigures 5 and 7.

By referring to Figures 7 and l0, it will be noted that the intermediate or central portion 35 ofy the feed drum I5 is cylindrical, whereas, the end portions 36 thereof are slightly tapered soV that the drum is slightly smaller in diameter at itsends. By thus forming the periphery of the feed drum, the central portion of the drum will contact the blanks with greater pressure than its end portions, whereby the apertures 33 are sealed by the blanks so that the air suction or vacuum created at the periphery of the drum through these apertures will positively grip each 'in Figures 5 and 6.

bag blank or tube, when the perforated portion 34 of the cylinder contacts the blank, as shown It will be noted that the casing 23 within the feed drum I5 is so positioned that the apertures 33 in the wall of the drum are not brought into registration with the slots 32 in the cylindrical wall 29 of the casing 23, until the leading apertures 31 reach a position in substantially horizontal alinement with the axis of the feed drum I5, as clearly illustrated in Figure 5. By so positioning the parts, only the upper portion of the blank is initially gripped by the suction device. In the operation of the feeding mechanism, the drum I5 rotates' continually and one blank is withdrawn from the magazine for each revolutionof the drum.

One end of the tubular member 2l is shown vconnected to a suitable vacuum tank, generally indicated by the numeral 20, by a suitable pipe connection 30,'l shown in Figures 2 and 3. A control valve 40 may be interposed between the tubular member 2I and the pipe connection 30 to control the suction through the apertures 33 and 31 of the feed drum I5.. Suitable means, not shown, is provided for creating a vacuum in the tank 20.

Means is provided for guiding or holding the upper ends of the blanks against the periphery of the feed drum to facilitate feeding them around the upper portion of the drum and onto a suitable receiving table, generally indicated by the numeral 4I. The means provided for thus holding the upper end of each blank in contact with the periphery of the drum is shown comprising a plurality of resilient fingers 42, which have their free end portions substantially engaging the periphery of the drum, as best shown in Figure 5. Similar resilient fingers 43 are shown positioned beneath the ngers 42 and operate to prevent more than one blank from being withdrawn from the magazine at a time. The fingers 42 and 43 are shown se'cured to a suitable block 44 supported on a cross rod 45 having its end portions supported in brackets 46 secured to the upright end portions 41- and 48, respec tively, of the side members 3 and 4 of the main frame.

A pair ofendless flexible elements 49 are shown mounted on suitable sheaves 5I and 52 and have theirlowerruns arranged to engage the periphery of the feed drum I5, thereby to firmly hold the blanks in contact with the periphery thereof. The speed of the flexible elements 49 is equal to the peripheral speed of the drum I5, whereby the elements 49 cooperate with the periphery of the drum to feed the blanks around the upper portion of the feed drum to the table 4I.

'The sheaves 5I are secured to a cross shaft 53, and the relatively smaller sheaves 52 are shown secured to a short shaft 54, mounted in suitable bearings 55 provided in the lower ends of a pair of brackets 56. These brackets vare pivotally supported upon suitable studs 51 secured to the upright frame members 58 and 59. The frame members 58 and 59 are shown suitably secured to the upper surfaces of the side frame members 3 and 4, as will be readily understood by reference to Figures 6 and '1.

Receiving table The receiving table 4I comprises spaced apart plate elements 6I shown supported on cross members 62 provided at the upper portion of the upright frame members 58 and 59, as cle'arly illustrated in Figures 6 and 8.

similar sprockets |03 to support and drive a pair Means is provided for conveying the blanks over the table 4| to the bottoming machine or other receiving means 6, and is shown comprising a chain 63 mounted on suitable sprockets 64 and 65. The sprocket 65 is secured to the cross shaft 53 between the sheaves 5I, and the sprocket 64 is similarly supported upon a shaft 66 provided at the opposite end of the receiving table 4I, as shown in Figure 6. The chain 63 has lugs 61 adapted to travel in a slot or gap 68 provided between the plates 6| forming the table 4I, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6. The chain operates in timed relation to the peripheral speed of the drum I5, so that each blank delivered onto the receiving table 4| will be discharged therefrom to the receiving means, shown in Figure -1.

The shaft 53 which operates the conveyer chain 63, is shown provided with a suitable pinl ion 1I driven from an idler gear 12 which, in turn, is driven from a gear 13 secured to the main operating shaft 14, best shown in Figure 10. vThe hub I8 of the feed drum I5 is shown provided with a gear 15 which meshes with the gear 13 on the shaft 14, whereby it is driven simultaneously therewith. The operating. shaft 14 may be driven from any suitable source of power, not shown, by means of a chain 16 and sprocket 11, shown in Figure 10.

Magazine The magazine is best shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and comprises spaced frame members 8I and 82, shown mounted for vertical adjustment on suitable threaded rods or posts 83 and 84. The'se rods are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings providedin the leg portions 5 of the main frame 2, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The magazine frame members 8| and 82 are provided with suitable hubs 85 which have threaded apertures adapted to receive the posts 83 and 84. `The hubs 85 are vertically movable in suitable guides 85 provided in the leg portions 5 of the main frame 2. 'I'he threaded rods 83 and 84 are operatively connected together at their lower ends by a suitable cross chain 81, and the upper end of the post 83 is shown provided with a. suitable operating crank 88. By thus operatively connecting together the posts 83 and. 84, they will be simulsuitable means, such as indicated at 92 in Figure- 1. A pair of sprockets 93 are secured'to4 the shaft 89 and are disposed adjacent to the -side frame members 8| and 82 of the magazine, as clearly illustrated in Figures l1, 12, and 13.l Similar sprockets 94 are mounted on the shaft 5I at the opposite end of the magazine and are similarly disposed in close proximity to the frame members 8| and 82. Chains 95 are operatively engaged with the sprockets 93 and 94 and with similar sprockets 96 and 91, provided at the upper portion of the magazine frame, as best illustrated in Figure 1. 'I'he sprockets 96 and 91 are mounted on studs 98, best shown in Figure 3. Suitable take-up sprockets 99 are adjustably mounted in the side frame members of the magazine, as shown at |0| in Figure 1, whereby the chains 95 may be maintained at the proper tension.

Sprockets |02, similar to the sprockets 93, are secured to the shaft 9| adjacent the intermediate portion thereof, and cooperate with a pair of of chains |04. The sprockets |03 are secured to the shaft 89, as best shown in Figure 12. The chains |04 are spaced apart; as shown in Figures 3 and 12 and provide the support for the bag tubes or blanks, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figures 3 and 12. Siltable guides |00 are mounted on cross members |05 of the magazine frame and cooperate to guide the empty bag tubes or blanks along the magazine in a direction towards the feed drum I5. The guides |00 Vare adjustable laterally, whereby the magazine may be adapted for blanks of different widths.

Suitable guides |01 are disposed over the guides |00 and cooperate therewith to guide the blanks along in the magazine. The guides |01 are supported at one end by rods |08 adjustably supported in a pair of brackets |09 suitably secured to the upright portion of the main frame, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The opposite ends of the guides |01 are supported by rods'I II and ||2, the latter being adjustably mounted in a hub |I3 provided in the side member 4 of the main frame.

Bla/nk vibrating means Means is provided for imparting a slight vibratory motion to the blanks, as they approach the feed drum I5, whereby they will be squared with one `another so that they will b e properly alined with the feed drum I 5, when engaged thereby, as shown, for example, in Figure 5. The means provided for thus imparting a vibratory motion to the blanks just before they are fed from the magazine by the feed drum I5, is best shown in Figure 10,l and comprises a sleeve ||4 having a bore therein for receiving the rod III. The rod is adapted forlongitudinal adjustment in the member I|4 by such means as a set screw ||5.

The sleeve ||4 is slidably mounted in a anged bushing I I6 supported in a suitable hub I|1 of the main frame 3 and secured thereto by suitable screws 'I I8. The inner end portion of the bushing |I6 is provided with diametrically opposed slots ||9 adapted to receive radial pins `|2| secured in the sleeve II4. The slots ||9 and pins |2I cooperate to prevent relative rotary movement between the sleeve I I4 and bushing I I6.

A sprocket Wheel |22 has a hub |23 rotatably mounted on the inner end of the bushing I I6 between the pins |2I and the inner face of the hub I I1. The inner-faceof the hub |23 of the sprocket is shown provided with diametrically opposed cam faces |24, against which the pins' I2| are con- |24 of the sprocket |22 have diametrically disposed shoulders or steps I 21 which cooperate with the cam faces |24 to impart a limited axial movement to the sleeve II4, and therefore the rod |I| secured thereto, when the sprocket wheel |22 is rotated. The sprocket wheel |22 has a chain |28 operatively connecting it to a sprocket wheel |29 which may be secured to the hub I9 of the feed drum I5, as shown in Figure 10. By this arrangement, it will be noted that when the drum is rotated, the upper guide |01 supported on the rod III will be constantly vibrated when the machine is in operation.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means provided in the magazine for supporting the traveling bags or blanks in upright position and whereby all of the blanks supported in the magazine may be fed to the receiving table 4| by the feed drum I5. The means provided for thus supporting the traveling blanks in an upright position is best shown in Figures 3, 14, and 15 a-nd comprises a plate |3| having laterally extending arms |32 provided with downwardly directed projections |33`adapted to be received in -selected links of the upper runs of the chains 95. The lower end of the plate |3| is provided with similar depending projections |34 adapted to be received in selected links of the chains |04. The upper end of the plate |3| preferably has a suitable hand grip |35, whereby the plate may be con-- veniently positioned on the upper runs of the four `chains or removed therefrom, as desired. Figures 3, 14, and 15, illustrate the position of the plate `|3| when the machine is in operation, wherein it will be noted that the plate travels as a unit with the upper runs of the chains 95 and |04 and supports the blanks in upright position in the magazine. By supporting the plate 3| on the chains as above described, all of the blanks in the magazine may be fed therefrom. By reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the plate |3| and its laterally extending arms |32 are comparatively thin in the direction of travel of the blanks, whereby additional blanks may be inserted into the magazine back of the plate 3| when the latter approaches the feed drum i5. When a fresh supply ofblanks are inserted into the magazine, the operator or attendant will hold the stack of blanks at the outer end of the magazine in an upright position with one hand, While he removes the plate |3| with the other hand and then positions it back of the trailing blank of the new supply. It is to be understood that the blanks in the magazine are first pressed together in the direction of travel, before the plate |3| is positioned on the chains back of the last blank.

It will thus be seen that the novel magazine herein disclosed may readily be reloaded without interrupting the operation of the machine. It is also so constructed thatit will handle blanks of different sizes. By relatively adjusting the guides .|04 and |01 laterally, bag tubes of different Magazine driving means The means for driving the conveyer chains 95 and |04 of the magazine is controlled by the removal of the blanks therefrom by the feed drum i5, as best shown in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.` As here shown, a ratchet wheel |36 is secured to the shaft 89 and is adapted to be intermittently driven by a pawl |31, secured to a pin |38. Thisvpin is` pivotally mounted in an arm |39 rotatably supported on the hub |4| of the ratchet |36. A connecting rod |42 has one end pivotally connected to the arm |39, as shown at |43 in Figures 14 and 15. The opposite end of the connecting rod has a yoke-shaped head |44 embracing an upright shaft |45, having eccentrical'ly disposed end portions |46 and |41. The lower end portion |46 is shown supported in a bearing |48 in a hanger |49 secured to the cross member A8 of the main frame, as shown in Figure 4. The upper end portion |41 of the shaft |45 is mounted in a bearing provided in the cross member 1, and has a bevel pinion |52 secured thereto. This pinion meshes with a similar pinion `|53 secured to the main operating shaft 14, whereby the shaft |45 is constantly rotated when the machine is in operation.

The end of the connecting rod |42 adjacent to the eccentric shaft |45, is supported by a link |54 whose lower end is mounted on a shaft |55 rotatably supported in suitable bearings |56 provided in the side members 8| and 82 of the magazine frame. It will thus be seen that the connecting rod |42 is supported directly 'upon the frame of the magazine and is movable up and down simultaneously therewith. When the machine is in operation and the above described parts are in the position shown in Figure 14, the pawl |31 will be operatively engaged with the ratchet wheel |36 and will thereby intermittently rotate itfor each revolution of the eccentric shaft |45, thereby imparting intermittent motion to the conveyer chains of the magazine.

The ratchet drive mechanism, above described, so operates with respect to the rotation of the vfeed drum 5 that the blanks are fed towards' the drum can remove them therefrom, means is provided for automatically interrupting the operation of the magazine drivingmechanism, when the pressure against the blanks reaches a predetermined i'lgure.

The means provided for thus automatically interrupting the operation of the magazine is best illustrated in Figures 5, 11, 12, 14, and 15, and comprises a trip member or plate |51 having apertured lugs |58 shown mounted upon a suitable supporting pin |59. This pin is shown supported in laterally extending projections |6| of a lever |62 having its lower end pivotally supported upon the shaft 89 of the magazine. The upper end of the lever |62 has mounted therein, an adjusting screw |63 which is adapted to engage a cross member |64 of the magazine frame.

A suitable spring |65 is shown having one end secured to a horizontal arm |66 of the lever |62 and its opposite end adjustably connected to a projection |61 of the cross member |64 by a suitable adjusting device I6B. The spring |65 constantly urges the lever |62 in a direction to cause the adjusting screw |63 to engage the cross member |64. When the adjusting screw |63 is so positioned, the trip plate |51 is in operative position, as shown in Figures 5 and 14.

'I'he arm |62, aspreviously stated, is pivotally supported on the shaft 89, and has its horizontal arm |66 secured to an arm |69 by a suitable rod i 1|, best shown in Figure 11', The arm |69 has an upstanding portion |12 provided with an elongated opening or slot |13 in which a suitable pin |14 is adjustably mounted by such means asa nut |15, shown in Figure 13. The slot |13 thus permits radial adjustment of the pin |14 inr the upright portion |12 of the arm |69. A small finger |16 is secured to the.stub shaft |38 and is positioned to be engaged by the pin |14, as will subsequently be described.

In the operation of the above described mechanism, when the trip plate |51 is moved forwardly from the position shown in Figure 14 to that shown in Figure 15, the lever |62 is swung outwardly against the tension of the spring |65,

whereby the lower horizontal arm |66 ofthe lever |62 swings downwardly and thereby imparts a similar movement to the arm |69, because of its connection therewith through the rod |1|. Such downward movement of the arm |69 will swing the pin |14 into engagement with the finger |16, whereby the ratchet dog |31is moved out of engagement with the periphery of the ratchet wheel |36, as clearly illustrated in Figure 15. When the dog |31 is thus disengaged from the ratchet whee1 |36, rotation of the shaft 89 is interrupted, whereby the conveyer chains of the magazine are similarly interrupted to prevent further feeding of the blanks towards the feed drum l5.

The upright shaft |45 rotates continually, because of its connection with the main operating shaft 14 through the bevel pinions |52 and |53,

` shown in Figures 4 and 10. Such continued rotation of the eccentric shaft |45 will cause the dog .|31 to be oscillated back and forth over the ratchet wheel |36, until a certain number of blanks have been fed from the magazine to the receiving table 4| by the feed drum I5. As the pressure against the trip plate |51 decreases, the spring |65 gradually restores the trip plate |51 to its normal position, shown in Figure |14, whereby the horizontal arm |69 is swung upwardly and thereby moves the pin |14 in a direction to permit the pawl |31 to move into driving engagement with the ratchet wheel, as shown Y in Figure 14. As soon as the parts are restored to the positions shown in Figure 14, the magazine is immediately set into motion to intermittently advance the blanks, towards the feed drum |5, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 14.

Blank diverting means Means is provided for preventing more than one bag to be delivered onto the receiving table 4| at a time. Such means is best shown in Figures 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, and V9, and comprises a plurality of elongated fingers |11, shown secured to a rock shaft |18 mounted in suitable bearings provided in the side members 58 and 59 of the upper portion of the main frame of the apparatus, as best shown in'Figure 4. The fingers |11 are spaced apart lengthwise of the shaft |18, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. The two intermediate fingers have their terminals reduced in Width, whereby they may be received in a pair of spaced annular grooves |8| provided in the periphery of the feed drum I5, as clearly illustrated in Figure 10. The remaining fingers |11 have their terminals adapted to engage the periphery of the feed drum l in such a manner that the blanks may readily be fed thereover onto .the receiving table 4|. The ngers |11 normally bridge a gap between the feed drum |5 andthe adjacent end of the receiving table 4|, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, whereby the blanks may be fed thereover without interruption. In Figures 5 and 6, the ngers |11 are shown in their normal positions.

Means is provided 'for automatically operating the fingers to move them into the position shown in Figure 8, in the event that ltwo or more blanks should be fed from the magazine by the feed drum I5 at the same time, as shown in Figure 8. The means provided for thus causing the fingers |11 to be moved into the position shown in Figure 8, is shown comprising a roller or small wheel |83 adapted to ride on the blanks, as they are fed from themagazine to the receiving table 4| by the feed drum I5. The wheel |83 is supported in a yoke |84 pivotally mounted on the shaft 53.

The yoke |84 has an upstanding portion |86 adapted to engage the lower terminal of an abutment screw |86, 'shown adjustably mounted in a small arm |81 secured to a shaft |88 supported in suitable bearings provided in the side members of the-upper portion of the machine frame. A latch |89 is secured to one end of the shaft |88 and ,has a spring |9| normally holding it in a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 1. The spring |9| is `shown coiled about a rod |92 having its lower end suitably secured to the side frame member of the machine and its upper end passing through a guide '|93 in the latch |89, whereby the spring is retained in proper position with respect to the latch |89.

'I'he outer end of the latch |89 is shown provided with a shoulder |94 adapted to engage an offset terminal |90 provided on 'the upper end of a spring-actuated arm |95, thereby to retain the arm |95 in substantially a vertical position, as shown in Figure 1. The arm |95 is secured to the ,shaft |18 upon which the lingers |11 are mounted. The arm |95 has a depending portion |96 to which one end of a spring |91 is secured. The opposite end of this spring is sho-wn xed to the machine frame, whereby the spring |91 constantly tends to move the arm |95 from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 9. A link |98 connects the depending portion |96 of the arm |95 to the upper end of an arm |99, shown secured to a cross shaft 20|, mounted in suitable bearings provided in the side members of the machine frame. A small lever 202 s shown secured to the shaft 20| and has a roller 203 adapted to engage a cam 204 secured to the main operating shaft 14, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 8. When the arm |95 is retained in its normal vertical position by the latch |89, as shown in Figure 1, the roller 203 of the arm 202 will be in the position shown in Figures 5 and 6,

whereby the high point of the cam 204 may pass freely thereby, without imparting movement to the rock shaft 20|. Should the arm |95 be released from the latch |89, the spring |91 will move the arm |95 to theposition shown in Figure 9, whereby the linkage connecting it to the rock shaft 20| will cause the arm 202, carrying the roller 203, to swing the latter into the path of the high point of the cam 204, as shown in Figure 8, whereby a rocking movement is imparted to the shaft 20| each time the cam 204 engages the roller 203.

The operation of the blank diverting means, as above described, is as follows: when the blanks are fed from the magazine to the receiving table 4|, one at a time, as shown in Figure 6,

the upright portion |85 of the yoke |84 will not.

engagek the lower terminal of the adjusting screw |86, whereby no movement is imparted to the rock shaft |88. f

Should two or more blanks, however, be simultaneously fed from the magazine over the periphery of the feed drum |5, then the additional thickness of the material on the periphery of the feed drum, because two or more blanks are positioned thereon, will elevate the yoke suiiiciently to cause the upright portion |85 thereof to engage the adjusting screw |86 and thereby rock the shaft |88 sufliciently to cause the latch |89 to release the arm |95. As soon as the arm` |95 is released from the latch |89, the spring |91 will swing it to the position shown in Figure 9, whereby the diverting fingers |11 will be elevated into the path of the blanks, as shown in Figure 8,

thereby diverting the two or more blanks simultaneously i'ed from the magazine, to be delivered onto an inclined chute 205, shown in Figures 6 and 8. At the'same time, theroller ildwill be moved into operative engagement with the cam 204 so that for each revolution of the feed drum I5, the diverting fingers |11 are moved downwardly into engagement with the periphery -oi the drum.

If but a single blank is fed from the magazine by the feed drum i5 at the next revolution thereof, the arm |95 will become interlocked with the latch |89, whereupon the machine is restored to its normal feeding operation. The outer end of the latch |89 is beveled,`as shown at 2M, whereby the arm |95 may, in the event that the latch' is in its normal horizontal position, depress it and thereby move into engagement with the shoulder |94 thereof., as shown in Figure 1. It will thus be noted that, if two or more bags are simultaneously fed from the magazine, said blanks are ldiverted onto the inclined chute or plate M5, and the machine is immediately restored to its normal feeding operation, when the blanks are again fed, one at a time, over the feed drum l5. This is a very desirable feature of the machine, in that it positively prevents jamming of the bottoming machine or other receiving means to which the blanks are fed from the receiving table 4|.

To guide the blanks along the receiving table 4|, suitable guide rails 21 are shown provided adjacent each side of the receiving table 4|. Thesel guide rails are shown secured to rods 20B adjustably mounted in guides'2il9 provided in the machine frame, whereby the spacing between the rails 201 may be varied to adapt the machine for bags of different widths. A pair of resilient lingers 2|| are also shown provided over the receiving table 4| which operate to firmly hold-the blanks against the surface of the receiving table at the discharge end thereof, so that they may be properly guidedv into the bottoming machine or other receiving means to which the bag tubes are delivered. The rods 2H are shown secured at one end by suitable screws 2|2.

Operation In the operation of the novel machine herein disclosed, the blanks or bag tubes are placed on end in the magazine in closely abutting relation. The entire length of the magazine may be illled with blanks, or the magazine may be only partially filled, as desired. The backing plate |3| is then inserted back of and against the last blank in the magazine and is operatively engaged with the upper runs of the chains 95 and |04, as best illustrated in Figure 3, whereby the backing plate |3| is retained in fixed relation with respect to the blanks positioned adjacent thereto." As the blanks are successively fed from the magazine by the feed drum l5, the blanks in the magazine are constantly being advanced to the feed drum until all of the blanks in the magazine have been fed therefrom.

'I'he speed of the magazine is such that the bags are delivered to the drum slightly faster than they are removed from the magazines by the feed drum. Becauseof this, the blanks will intermittently become somewhat compressed between the trip plate |51 and the backing plate |3i, which pressure eventually moves the trip plate |51 forwardly from the position shown in Figure 14 to the position shown in Figure 15, thereby causing aaaaors described. When -the dog is thus moved out of driving engagement with the ratchet wheel, the

operation of the magazine is immediately interrupted'. The feed drum I5, however, will continue to feed blanks from the magazine to the receiving table 4|@ until the pressure against the trip plate |51 is released, whereupon said plate returns to its normal position, as shown in Figure 14, and again moves the pawl |31 into driving engagement with the ratchet wheel |36. Such operation of the parts will immediately cause the magazine to resume operation and again intermittently advance the blanks towards the feed drum l5.

The blank diverting mechanism is also important in that it assures that the blanks will be delivered to the receiving table M, one at a time, and in properly spaced relation.

The machine is so constructed that it may readily and conveniently be adjusted from one size bag to another in a minimum of time. It operates automatically and does not require the constant care of van attendant, as is customary with feeding apparatus of this general nature now in use.

The novel construction of the feed drum is such that it may readily be adjusted to produce the desired vacuum pull on the walls of the blanks to positively feed them, one at a time, from the magazine to the feed table.4|, from which they may be delivered to the receiving means such, for example, as a bottoming machine, in timed relation thereto;

The magazine may readily be adjusted for various heights of blanks or bags by rotation of the crank 88, and the guides |00 and |01 of the magazine may similarly be adjusted to adapt the magazine for handling bags of different widths. Also, by means of the backing plate |3|, the magazine may readily be lled or reloaded at any time, without interrupting the operation of the machine.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an apparatus for feeding blanks, a support for the blanks, a hollow feed drum having a plurality of apertures in a portion of its periphery,

- a segment mounted within said drum and in comwhen said apertures move out of communication with the openings in the segment, whereby the blank is released, and resilient means for holding the leading edge portion of a blank in contact with the periphery of the drum to cause the suction through said aperture to effectively grip the blank. f

2. In an apparatus for feeding blanks, a magazine for supporting the blanks in upright position, a hollow feed drum having a plurality of apertures in a portion of its periphery, a segment mounted Within the drum and in communication with a suction device, said segment having a cylindrical portion fitting the bore. of the drum and provided with suitable openings, whereby when the apertures in the wall of the drum pass over said openings, a suction is created through said apertures to cause a blank engaging the periphery of the drum to be fed from the magazine, resilient means engaging the upper ends of the blanks supported adjacent to the drum, whereby but one blank can be fed from the magazine at a time, and an endless belt cooperating with said resilient means to hold the blank in feeding engagement with the periphery ofl the drum.

3. In an apparatus for feeding blanks, a magazine for supporting the blanks in upright position, a hollow feed drum having a section of its periphery provided with a plurality of apertures, a segmentmounted on the tubular member within the drum and having a chamber therein, said tubular member being in communication with l said chamber and a suction device, in communication with the interior of the segment, and said segment having acylindrical portion tting the bore of the drum and having apertures therein adapted to register with the apertures in the drum, each time the apertures in the drum pass by the leading blank in the magazine, whereby a suction is created through the apertures in the drum to thereby cause the blank engaging the periphery of the drum to be fed from the magazine, and a resilient finger for holding the upper end of the blank against the periphery of the drum, whereby but one blank can be fed from the magazine at a time.

4. In an apparatus for feeding blanks, a support in which the blanks to be fed are retained in an upright position, a hollow feed drum having a plurality of apertures in a section of its periph ery, means Within the drum for intermittently causing a suction through the apertures in the drum, when said apertures pass the upper portion of a blank supported in said support, whereby the blank will adhere to the periphery of the drum by suction, and a resilient finger positioned adjacent to the feed drum adapted to hold the leading blank in feeding engagement with the periphery of the drum.

5. In an apparatus for feeding blanks, a magazine in which the blanks are supported on one end, a feed drum for feeding the blanks from the magazine, one at a time, means in the magazine for advancing the blanks to the feed drum, suction means in the periphery of the'feed drum adapted to cause the leading blank in the magazine to adhere to the periphery of the feed drum and be fed from the magazine, and a pair of resilient fingers positioned over the blanks adjacent to the feed drum, one of said ngers engaging the tops of the blanksadjacent to the feed drum', thereby to control the delivery of the blanks from the magazine, and the other of said fingers holding the leading blank in feeding engagement with A the periphery of the drum, whereby the blanks may be quickly fed from the magazine, one at a time.

6. In an apparatus fo'r feeding blanks, a feed drum, a magazine for the blanks having means for advancing the blanks to the feed drum, suction means in a portion ofthe periphery of the feed drum adapted to successively engage and feed blanks from the magazine, a pair of flexible elements or belts spaced apart lengthwise of the drum and each having a run adapted to engage the periphery of the feed drum, thereby to hold the blank being fed `in feeding engagement with the periphery of the drum, and means whereby but one blank can be fed from the magazine at a time.

DANIEL BELCHER. BRADFORD R. STETSON. HAROLD V. KINDSETH. 

